Black in a Box

In our latest episode, we have the change-making Tyla Grant chatting with us about neurodiversity, living with autism as Black woman and more.

Tyla takes the floor to introduce what neurodiversity means to her and how race and gender played a role in her belated diagnosis (6:00). We discuss some of the challenges people with neurodivergences, especially people of colour, face in school and the workplace (18:24), as well as certain challenges in social and home life (44:11), before finishing up on the Metropolitan police overreach and other foolishness on display during the coronation (56.30).

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We're back with a bang this time, as the Black in a Box crew sits down with Ade Adepitan MBE.

It'll be no surprise to hear this was a dream for us - Ade has been a trailblazer in British broadcasting for over two decades. We talked all about how he got started in the industry, his past as an elite athlete and a whole heap of other things. Oh, and the story of him climbing an active volcano without his chair? One for the ages.

Ade, thank you for continuing to inspire all of us.

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We begin by acknowledging our weakness in having no woman on the pod in Alahna's absence during international women's month. You can head to our Tik Tok and IG Reels for content celebrating a number of Black women changing the world for the better.

Our first topic is a discussion on the notion of masculinity within the Black community(3:34)rooted around the much-debated framing of ASAP Rocky (in relation to Rihanna) and Jonathan Majors in cover shoots for Vogue and Ebony respectively.

Awards season is upon us and so is another year of Beyoncé being snubbed for album of the year, and other Black entertainers not even making their nomination lists (20:00). Is it time for Black people to stop expecting more?

We then talk about diversity in each of our respective fields and industries(25:31)and whether the look of the rooms we are in are changing with time.

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We are marking international month with a series of content on TikTok and IG Reels shining a light on some Black women leading the way in their respective fields, locally and globally. They are names to know with followings to grow. Head to our channels and show some love 🖤

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For whose comfort should Black people be cultivating their conversations?

Alahna, Dan, Dom and Gelo negotiate exactly that question, in relation to cinema and conversations within the Black community, as well as the role of trauma porn in indicating the value of black life.

We open discussing Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill race rom-com and Guess Who remake “You People” (2:20) and whether it is harmless fun of harmful to stereotypes in 2023.

The viral clash on Higher Learning podcast between Van Lathan and Emmanuel Acho then has us talking, asking whether anyone should be comfortable when the topic is discrimination against Black people (25:41).

The killing of Tyre Nicholls at the hands of police in America set us on to an all too familiar topic. We discuss the prevalence of trauma porn (42:48) and whether it is necessary or simply results in death becoming content.

Finally, we finish on film and music culture (1:05:04). Is Batman the REAL villain? When did we lose our male SANGERS?

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The episode about broken social contracts.

We begin our first pod of 2023 with Prince Harry's media blitz about his stripped royal status. He thought he was the Prince who was promised until the reality of falling in love with and marrying a mixed race woman revealed royal status is not unconditional, nor is it afforded equally (4:41).

We then discuss the rise and elevation of misogynist huckster Andrew Tate to internet sensation status by a generation of men feeling as though they were promised more than what they have (21:17).

The family of Benedict Cumberbatch may well be about to have less than they have. We talk about Barbados its high profile plans for reclamation of generational lands used for slave plantations (37:19).

Finally we finish on Home Sec Suella Braverman's reported Windrush generation betrayal (53:11), before closing out on the music that made our 2022 (1:01:05).

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We needed to talk about some Daves. Dave Chappelle's monologue on SNL generated heat with some commentators saying it engaged in anti-semitic tropes whilst others praised its nuance. We discuss it and how Chappelle's skill as a comedian doesn't always translate. (5:22)

We then get onto David Baddiel, his appearance on Jason Lee's podcast, his documentary "Jews Don't Count" and how the effects of his anti-black racism have blighted his efforts to talk about anti-semitism (27:19)

Lastly, the team is split on following the World Cup, with some all out and others all in. Is it possible for this specific tournament to be escapism? (48:25)

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Lock in for a journey through astrology, living the life that fulfils you, lunar travel, pirates and miscellaneous money and so much more with Jason “Scully” Kavuma.

Scully – one of the voices behind the rise of lockdown internet sensation #NS10v10 at No Signal – cut his teeth as a new media dabbler at Vice before becoming a presenter and A&R as well as a producer on the rise. It has to be said though that the 29-year old is much more than all this.

After a wild journey through him bursting onto the scene(20:48, we hear how a life turning point (38:02) brought him back...until covid had other ideas. After talking #10v10, the conversation switches to grime and “gatekeeping the culture” (1:02:10), before we turn to Kanye, Nore and podcasters calculating the cost of clicks and clout (1:13:45).

We close with heartfelt condolences to actress and writer Josephine Melville who tragically passed away in October, during a run of the much-lauded Nine Night.

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The one where we talk about football. Football podcasting great and award-winning writer Musa Okwonga joined the pod at the start of the season for a wide-ranging deep dive on the relationship of our game, media and the England team with Black Britain.

We begin talking about how Blackness has permeated football culture (5:17), charting from Wenger's Arsenal through Nike's Londoner advert to now. We then discuss the marketing of the England team(35:28) behind not just Black faces but Black identities with the unspoken caveat of "Conditional Identity" afforded to those players(43:19).

We then touch on the traditional media discourse about Black athletes(50:15) and why there have been no "clever" Black footballers(1:01:06), before finishing on Musa's experience moving abroad and the impact it had on his life and career(1:18:02).

Our regular segment "Black in the Box" closes out pod, with us giving love to chicken, carnival, Munya and Musa's exceptional latest book "In The End, It Was All About Love"(1:29:41).

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The Tory leadership contest has seemingly been a showcase for diversity. Our guest, Nels Abbey, a celebrated author and essayist joins the team to talk through the candidates.

We start off with "Black out the Box" where we celebrate the best of Britain, big and small (1:30). Then we ask whether the ethnic diversity in the contest makes us feel represented (10:31) and we have an in depth discussion on Kemi Badenoch and what her reaching the final four tells us about the direction of the Conservatives and Black Britons.

We close things off with our first reactions to The Forde Report into racism within the Labour Party and the lack of news coverage it has been given (49:05), before discussing Nels' (and Dr Boulé Whytelaw III) superb book "Think Like a White Man" and his journey in making it (1:04:42).

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As we reflect on the anniversary of Grenfell, we are joined by guest Ewa Effiom, architect and expert on the built environment, to discuss his success as a Black face in a predominantly white industry, as well as housing and development issues affecting Black and Brown people.

First we get to know Ewa as he takes us through his rise, experiences and observations as a prominent Black architect (6:05). Then, we discuss Grenfell and why not much has changed since the tragedy (44:13) and finally, we look at some of the barriers to home ownership for Black people and examine the question of ‘will there ever be Black middle class communities in Britain?’ (59:10).

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